Safety razor and stropper



`hm. 29, 1924. l.. L. WITTER SAFETY RAZOR AND sTRoPPER Filed Dec. l2,

INVENTOR 3am. 29, 1924 lfZl.

L.. L. WITTER SAFETY RAZOR AND STROPPER Filed Dec. l2. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 position in the razor or to be Patented aan. 2a, ieee.

narran stares I Partnr or intatti rica.

LAWRIE L. WITTER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

SAFETY Razon AND, s'rRoPPE'R.

Applicationmled December 12, 1922. Serial lfolfpilSO.Y

To all 'whom it may concern: 4

' Be it known that I, LAWRIE L.`\-Vr1'rnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, haveinvented certainY newv and useful Improvements in Safet Razors and Stroppers,A of which the following Ais a speciication. v

Th1s invention relates to'safety razors and stropping means for the blades thereof. The

pri-mary object of the invention is to provide an improved safety razor and stropping u means in combination with a blade holder, the holder with a blade therein being adaptedto either be. rigidly supportedin' shaving pivotally supported in stropping osition in the stropper.

In the drawing, Il have illustrated two forms of my invention. In one form, the blade holder is mounted on the razor both for shaving and stropping. For shaving, the holder and blade are rigidly secured in the razor with the blade in shaving position, and for st'ropping, the razor with theholder :ind blade. pivota-lly mounted therein is in- A serted in the stropper as a unit. In the other .holder is so constructed form of my invention, the holder and blade are rigidly secured 1n the razor for shavmg vand areremoved from the razor as a unit and p'ivotally supported in the stropper for stropp'ing. In its preferred form, the blade be easily changed when desired. andthe construction of the razor is such that'the holder in no way interferes with the mounting ofthe .blade therein for shaving. Furthermore, the stropper is so constructed, relative to the razor and blade holder, that such elements are adapted to be received therein 1n a man- -ner to readily cooperate with the stropping Ulea/DS.

Another object of the invention is to pro, videmeans adapting a razor of the double cutting edge type and particularly such a -1 razor ofthe Gillette type, as illustrated, to a stropper 'whereby the razor blade may be quickly and conveniently stropped before shaving. the said means including a blade holder adapted with a blade thereinftobe readily mounted in shaving position in the razor and to he pivotally mounted in the `stropper Whereinboth cutting edges of the blade may be quickly stropped. A

lVith the above and other objects inv view,

my invention consistsin the features of con struction and operation set forth in the folthat the blade mayA lowing specification a'nd illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In such drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown certain specific embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting thev scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.. v

Referring to the figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a razor embodying one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a `longitudinal section thereof.

Fig. 3 is an edge View of the razor, the parts thereof being spread ou F ig. 4 is an elevation taken on line filet of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation taken on line 5 5 of. Fig. 3. v

Fig. 6 shows elevational and sectional views of a detail of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows elevational 'and sectional views of another detail of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the blade holder.

Fig. 9 `is a section therethrough on line 9-9 of Fig. 8. z

Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken on line 10-'10 of Fig. 2.

Fig.,10a is a like view but showing the several elements spread out to the position shown in Fig. 3.

line 11-11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11a is a like view but showing the parts spread out.

Fig. 12 is a transverse line 12-12 of Fig. 2.4 Y

Fig.I 12tl is a like view but showing the parts spread out. I

Fig. 13 is a top plain view of a stropper having the razor shown .in Fig. 1 supported therein for stropping.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereof looking toward Fig. 13. y

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary end View looking toward Fig. 14.

section taken' on Fig.` 16,is a sectional View' taken on line l6-16of Fig. V13.

Fig. 17 is a perspective'view4 of a razor embodying another form of Vmy invention.

Fig.v 18v isa partial longitudinal section thereof.

Fig. 19 is an edge view of the razor.

. toward Fig. 22.

. pair of cylindrica Fig. 20- is a side elevation of the blade holder. A

Fig. 21 is an enlarged section therethrough on line 21--21 of Fig. 20. I

Fig. 22 is a top plan View of a stropper having the holder and bladeshown in Fig. 2O supportedtherein for stropping. A Fig. 23 is a side elevation thereof looking Fig. 24 is a fragmentary end view looking vtoward Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a detail of Fig. 23.`

Figs. 26 and 2T show modifications hereinafter described.

Fig. 28 is a top plan View of the pinion shown in Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating la modified form of blade holder supporting a blade. y

Figs. 30 and 31 are diagrammatic views illustrating the stropping action vof the stropper.

Referring first to the form of n'iy invention shown in Figs.v 1 to 16 of the drawingyl indicates the head or inner guard of a safety razor of Well known construction, a handle 2 being integrally or otherwise secured to the head 1. The head or guard 1 is provided with guard teeth 3 alonfr the opposite surface 4 of the head is preferably transversely curved as illustrated. 5 indicates' the usual outer guardfthelinner Iblade engaging face of which is transversely curved to cooperate with the .curved surface 4 of the head 1. The ard -isprovided lwith'a throu h the bladev andl headv 1 forholding such e ements in the proper relative positions in the razor. A threaded shank 7` on the guard engaged -by .a7 threaded sleeve 8 therein whereby the outer, guardf may be drawn' toward the-*head in a'niannerto clamp the blade in shaving'position between such elements. knurled rotated.` .i l l p My.. invention, as 'shown' in'--Figs.' 1 to 16 of the; drawing, contemplates the mounting of the blade 10`onthe razor either rigidly for shaving or pivotally for stropping. To such end I provide a blade holder-comp1is` ingtworelatively thin flexible plates l1 and 12. 14 and 15 to receive the lugs Gand shank `7., the plate 12 being struck outto provide cii'.- cular flanges aboutthe perforations 13 and 14 which flanges are received lwithin the corresponding perforations on the blade and plate 11 as shown in Fig. l9. The plate 11 is plane rectangular` in form andthe' ends of plate 12 are bent over lat.16,ina manner ade engaging 1 lugs 6 adaptedi to extend' l5 extends intoth'e handle'2 and is' 'The sleeve is provided. with a- `head 9 lwherebythe same inay be Both such plates are perforated at 13,`

to receive the blade 10 and plate'll therein.`

the ends 16 being flexible and bent to a shape permitting the plate 11 to snap thereby into a position to hold such plate firmly in contact` with the blade.

Each `end of the plate 12 of the bladel holder has pivotally mounted thereon a supporting element 17,' one elementv 17 being `mounted on a pivot pin 18 extending from one end of the plate 12 and the other element v17 being mounted on a pi'vot'pin 19l extending from the other end of the plate 12. A small pinion 20, to be hereinafter mentioned, is. also secured tothe pin 19. Formed on the ends of the head 1 are'rearwardly eX-y tending lugs 21 having 'rearwardly extending guidcways therein for slidably receiving the elements 17. A. spring clip22 on each lug it is desired to change the blade in the holder.-

Both guards 1 and are referably grooved longitudinally at 25 and 26 respec.

tively for receiving therein the plates v1.1

and 12 of the bladeholder. 1n Figs. 17 2. 10, 1l and 12, the several parts of the razor are `shown in theshaving position. It should be lunderstood thatthe parts 11 and 12 of the'blade holder. are flexible vwhereby the .same readily .lex'to the curved contour 'of the blade Aengaging surfaces 'of the guards'. Also the recesses 25 and 26 are so shaped as to fully receivel thel plates 11 vand. 12 there- Ain whereby the blade is engaged by the adjacent curved surfaces of the gnards'in sub'- blade alone was held therebetween.Thus in its shaving position. the blade-1 0v is-held lsecured between the adjacent curvedsurfaces of-,the guards with each-cutting edge vthereof extending along the` guard teeth, 3 directly over a guard groove 27 formed' such. 1

teeth. .v 4In Figs. 13 to 1 6, inclusive, .1- have' illustrated a stropper having the razor just -described niountedtherein in. blade stropping position. This stropper comprises'a box,V

like frame 28 having an eye 29V thereon for engaging over an` anchoring hook S01 One v side wall is cutaway at 31 and :Li-'portion 32 of the top Wall'adjacent thereto is'- pivoted at l' This pivoted portion32 is broken vaway secured to one end ofithisroller is an arm 35 v Aprovided on its free end with lgear teethj36:

adaptedto 'mesh withtliepinion 20 Qnthe blade holder. The-side wall adjacent "the remaining portionof body of the box 28 and the 25 `tion 32.k Secured Maasai gear teeth 36 is perforated at 37 to receive the pivot pin 19 projectingbeyond the end of the pinion 20. This perforation is so positioned that the pinion 20 must accurately mesh with the gear teeth 36 when the pin 19 is engaged therein.

' The bottom wall and one sidewall of the box 28is cut away at 38 to receive the ha-ndle 2 of the razor therein. A pair of spring clips 39 and 40 having their ends secured to the side walls of the box are restricted at their central portions in a mannerto receive and vgrip the handle therebetween. It will be noted that the handle 2 adjacent the head lis formed of a ldiameter smaller than the the handle. i The clips', as shown lnlF ig. 14, are shaped rately lit this smaller portion in a manner to hold the razor properly positioned in the stropper.

Rotatably mounted in the freeend of the stropper is a pair of strop guiding rollers 41 and 42, the roller 41 being mounted inthe roller 42 being mounted in the free end of the pivoted porto the frame 28 at each end of the roller of each such clip is slightly curved outwardly and formed with a perforation therein for receiving the end of a pin 44 rotatably supporting the ends of the roller 42. The construction is such that the pivoted portion 32 may be automatically snapped into the operative position shown in Figs. 14 and 15 wherein the lrollers 41 and 42 are securely held in the spaced position illustrated. A flexible strop 45 is ad-apted to extend between the rollers 414 and 42 and around the blade and its holder and the roller 34, as illustrated. Means, as a curved plate 46, may also be provided if desired for assisting the operator in passing the strop around the roller 34.

In Figs. 1. 2, 10, 11 and 12, the razor is shown in its shaving position, the blade with its holder in the recesses 25 and 26 being held between the inner ard 1 and the outer guard 5 in substantie. ly the same manner as though the. blade alone was held therebetween. When itis desired to strop the blade, the sleeve 8 is rotated to rele-ase the outer guard 5 which is entirely removed from the razor. The razor is then placed in the stropper between. the holding clips 39 and 40 as illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16. In such position the end of pin 19 engages in the perforation 37 whereby they pinion 2,0 is in mesh with the gear teeth 36; p

rl`he strop 45 may be threaded through the razor and placed in stropping'position either before or after the razor 1s entirely seated in the stropping position just described, ywhichever is the more convenient forjthe operator. It should be understood reversed, the hplder to accu-- 41 is a spring clip 43 extending toward the roller 42. The free end alone were clamped therein.

, trated a that during such 'placing of the strop, the pivoted portion 32 of the box may be left wide open. This pivoted portion is thereafter snapped into the position shown in full lines (Fig. 14) whereupon the parts are ready 'for the stropping operation.`

The stropping action is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 30 and 31. As the strop is pulled in'l one'direction, the arm 35 operateisv on vthe pinion 20 to rotate the holder an edges of the blade against the receding strop, andas the direction of the strop is and blade are rotated in the opposite direction in the same manner. Both edges of the blade are thus stropped, simultaneously and automatically. It should furthermore be noted (Fig. 14) that the rollers 41 and 42 are so to the position of the perforation 37 that the two portions of the strop are held parallel' with the-blade accurately positioned centrally therebetween.

Another form of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 17 to 28 inclusive. The ravzor in-this form is substantially the same as that just described except that no means is provided for pivoting the blade holder thereon. Briefly, this razor comprises inner and outer guards land 5 and a handle 2 rigidly secured to the inner guard 1, the inner guard. 0r head being furthermore provided with guard teeth 3. A knurled hea-d 9. provides for drawing the outer guard vtorvard the inner guard as illustrated in In this form of the invention I provide a blade 'holder as an element entirely separate from the razor. Otherwise the holder is substantiall the same as that shown in igs. 8 an 9. holder comprises two plates 11 and 12 formed the same as plates 11 and 12 shown in Fig. 9. and heretofore described. yA blade 10 is illustrated as held between the plates 11 and.12. On one end of the plate 12 is a pivot pin 18 and on the other end is a pinion 20 having a pin 19 centrally thereof. The adjacent curved surfaces of the. guards 1 and 5 are recessed at 25vv and 26 to receive the plates 11and 12 therein and, as illustrated in Figs. 17, 18 and 19, the holder and its blade may be clamped in shaving position between such guards in substantially the same manner as though the blade In Figs. 22 to 25 inclusive', I have illusstropper particularly adapted to receive the holder and blade shown iu Figs. 2O and 2l. This stropper is of a box-like construction similar to but smaller than that shown in Figs. 13 to 16. Certain parts of the stropper which are substantially the same as corresponding parts shown in Figs.

blade 1n adirection to hold the opposite' y positioned relative to the diameter of the roller 34 andV As shown -in-Fig. 21, this llO ' strop. The pivoted portion 32 snapped shut and the v manner heretofore described. The blade` 13 to 16 and above described are labeledwith corresponding primed numerals inFigs. 22 to 25 and will therefore not be described in detail. Each side wall v48 of the box is perforated at 37Hto receive the pivot pin 19l therein. The opposite side wall 49 is pro'- vided with alateral projection 50. This `projection is struck out to form an inclined groove 51 therein leading into a perforation 52 for receiving the pin 18 of the blade holder.

When it is desired to strop the blade shown in Figs. 17 to 24, the outer guard 5 is removed as is 'also the bladeholder and blade (Fig. 20). The hinged portion 32 being wide open and one end of the strop held outward adjacent thereto (Fig. 23) the pin 19 of the blade holder is inserted in the perforation 37 and the pin 1S slidinwardly along the :groove 51 until such pin snaps into the perforation 52. As shown in Fig. 23, this perforation is directly in axial alignment withthe perforation 37 whereby the blade is held accurately pivoted on an axis midway between the parallel portions of the is next razor stropped in the and holder may therafter` be removed by y.opening the pivoted portion 32 Y stance,

and lifting. the projection 50. 1

It should be clearly understood that the details of the invention are not limitedto those herein shown and described. For inthe ends of the blade holder may be supported in various ways. In Figs. 26., 27 and 28, I have illustrated other methods of supporting such ends. In Fig.26, the sidewall 48 instead of being perforated at- 37 is provided with a pin 53 therein'adapted to engage within a central hole in a pinion 54 secured-to the end of the4 blade holder plate 12. Such construction eliminates the projecting pin 19 on the blade holderabove described. In Figs. 27 and 28, I have illustrated a further modification wherein I a pinion 55 is rotatably mounted on a bushing 56 supported in the and pinionare provided with holes 57 and 58 therein for respectively receiving pins 59 and4 60 projeoting'from the end of the blade holder plate 12. Such construction eliminates the placing of the pinion on the blade holder. Further modifications of the con` struction illustrated may likewise be made vwit-hout departing from the spirit of the invention.

In both forms of the invent-ion illustrated, the blades may be changed merely by flexing the plate 12 or l2l in a direction to spread the bent ends 16 or 16 of the plate outwardly. In the form shown in Fig. 9, such plate may be thus flexed by moving the elements 17 to the opposite side of the holder and pinching such elements toward eacli i other.

laterally wall- 4 8. 4The bushing its blade will ,easily snap out ofthe holder.

` In Fig. 29, I have modification wherein a permanent part of the the blade holder 61 is blade l0, such hold- 'er being providedwith pivot pins 59 at its ends and an adjacentipinGO at. one' end thereof. Such holderjpins correspond to those shown in Fig. 27.' Thus it will be seen that, in accordance with the scope of `the invention, the holder may be either a pei-Ina` nent or a removable part of the blade, it only being necessary that means be provided on the ends ofy the blade, for pivotally mountina the same for stropping.

What I clainris:

1. A blade holder comprising arelative.

ly thin flexible plate adapted to engage one side of a safety razor blade, means cooperatingwith the plate and adapted to engage the opposite side of the blade tohold the 4 blade clamped therebetween, and means at the ends of the holder for supporting the same for pivotal movement about the rcentral longitudinal axis ofthe bladie held therein, the plate with a blade held thereby being adapted to the razor clamping.- surface therefor.

2. A blade holder comprising two relatively thin'flexible plates' adapted to sup-v port a safety razor blade therebetween. and means cooperating with the plates for holding the same together with a blade clamped therebetween, the plates with a blade held therebetween being adaptedto bodily flex to the shape of the razor clamping surfaces therefor. l

3. A blade holder comprising two relatively thin flexible plates adapted to supP port a safety razor blade therebetween, and extending means integral with one of the plates and'adapted to engage the other plate for holding the plates together with a, blade clamped therebetween, the plates with a blade held therebetween being When thus-flexed, the plate 11 and illustrated a Vfurther j bodily flex to the shape of adapted to bodily flex to the shape of the razor clamping surfaces therefor.

tively thin flexible plates adapted to supporta safety vrazorblade therebetween, the plates being perforated and one plate have ingintegral means about its `perforation adapted to engage within a-V cooperating perforation in the other plate, and flexible means-for securing the plates together with a blade clamped therebetween, the plates with a blade held therebetween being adapted to bodily flex to the shape of the razor clamping surfaces therefor.

5. A blade holder comprising two relatively thin flexible plates adapted to support a safety razor blade therebetween, means cooperating with the plates for holding the same together with a blade clamped therebetween, and means' at the ends of one comprising the Maasai ing a transversely curved 'blade supporting along opposite edges thereof, a

surface, a handle securedvto the head, a flexible blade holder having means on the ends .thereof for pivotally mounting the holder with a blade therein for stropping, a removable guard having a 4transversely curved blade engaging surface for cooperating With the curved surface ofthe head, and means providing a relative approaching movement between the guard and head for clamping the holder with its blade therein 1n shaving position between the curved sur- I faces of the guard and head, the flexible blade holder withv a blade therein being adapted to flex to the shape ofthe said transversely curved blade supportin surfaces when the parts are clamped 1n the shaving position. I

7. A safety razor of the double-edge type comprisin the combination of a head having a bla e supporting surface and guard teeth alon opposite edges thereof, a handle' secured to the head, a flexible blade holder having means on the ends thereof for pivotally mounting the holder With-:a blade therein .for stropping, a removable guard cooperating with the head, certain of ythe adjacent surfaces of the head and guard being recessed to receive the and means for drawing the the head in va manner to seat the holder in the recessed -portion'and to clamp the blade therein in shaving osition between the adjacentV surfaces of t e head and guard with the cutting edges of the blade positioned along the said guard teeth, the flexible blade holder being adapted to flex to conform to the shape of thesaid head and guard recesses when the parts are clamped in the shaving position. L 4

8. A safetyl razor of the double-edge type comprising the combination of a head'having a blade supporting surface and guard teeth handle secured to thehead, a flexibleblade holder having means on the ends thereof for pivotally' mounting the holder with a blade therein for stropping, the said holder including two relatively thin plates adapted to support a blade therebetween', a removable guard cooperating with the head, the adjacent surfaces of the head and ard being recessed to receive the blade ho der therein, and screw threaded means for drawing the guard toward the head in a manner to Seat the holder in the said recesses and to clamp the blade therein in shaving position between the adjacent surfaces of the head and guard blade holder, guard toward with the cutting edges of the blade positioned along the said guard teeth, the flexible blade holder being adapted-to flex to conform to the shape of the said head and guard recesses when the parts are clamped in the shaving position.

9. A safety razor of the double-edge type comprising the' combination of a head having a bla e supporting surface and guard teeth along opposite edges thereof, a handle rigidly secured to the head, a blade holder provided with a pivot pin on one end and Y 'pivot means on its other end including a pinion for pivotally mounting the holder with a blade therein for stropping, a removable guard, and means .for drawing the guard toward the head for' clamping the blade therein in shaving position between the adjacent surfaces of the head and guard with the cutting edges of the blade positioned along the said guard teeth, the said pinion being adapted to cooperate with stropping mechanism for automatically pivoting the blade into engagement with the strop during the stropping operation.

10. In combination, a safety razor of the double-edge type comprising a head having a blade supporting surface and guard means along opposite edges thereof, a handle secured to the heada blade holder pivotally mounted on the head and adapted to have a bodily movement awayffrom the head to a position for stropping a blade held therein, means for rigidly clamping the holderwithits blade therein in shaving position in the razor with the cutting edges of the blade positioned along the said guard means, and 'a stropper having means for supporting the razor therein and for simultaneously strop- .ping two edges of the blade while thus sup ported.

11. In combination, a safety razorv of the double-edge type comprising a head having a blade supporting surface, a handle secured rigidly to the head, a blade holder pivotally mounted on the head and adapted to have a bodily movement away from the head to a position for stropping a blade held therein, a removable guard, certain Iof the adjacent surfaces of the head and guard being recessed to receive the blade holder, means for drawing the guard toward the head in a manner to seat the 'holder in the recessed position and to clamp the blade therein `in shaving position between the adjacent surfaces of the head and guard, and a stropper having means for supporting the razor therein and for simultaneously l,stropping two edges of the blade while 12. A safety razor blade holder in combination with a safety razor and a stropper, comprising means for rigidly supporting the holder and its blade in the razor in shaving position, means for pivotall 'supporting the holder and its blade 1n the thus supported.

stropper, and means including a long flexible strop cooperating with the stropper and holder for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported, the razor and stropper being independent units.

13. A safety razor blade holder in combination with a safety razor and a stropper, comprisin an inner guard and an outer guard an means providing a relative approaching movement of the guards to clamp the holderwith its blade in shaving position therebetween in the razor, means for pivotally supporting the'holder and its blade in the stropper, and means including a long flexible strop cooperating with the stropper and holder for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported, the razor and stropper being independent units.

14. A safety razor blade holder in combination with a safety razor and a stropper, comprising an inner guard and an outer guard certain of the blade holder engaging surfaces of which are recessed to receive the holder, screw threaded means for drawing the outer guard toward the inner guard in a manner to seat the holder in the recessed -portion and to clamp the blade therein in shaving position in the razor between the adjacent surfaces of the guards, means for pivotally supporting the holder and its blade in the-stropper, and means including a long flexible strop cooperating with the stropper and holder for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported, the razor and stropper being independent units.

15. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor therefor and a stropper, comprising means for mounting the holder and its blade in the yrazor in shaving position, means for supporting the holder and blade in the stropper for pivotal movement about the v central longitudinal axis of the blade, and

means in the stropper for stroppin the blade While thus pivotally supporte the razor and stropper being independent units.

16. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor 4 therefor and a stropper, comprising means for mounting the holder and its blade in the razor in shaving position, means for supporting the holder and blade in the stropper for pivotal movement about the central longitudinal axis of the blade, and means including a long vflexible strop cooperating with the stropper'and holder for stropping both edges of the blade and for oscillating the blade about its said central axis as the direction of movement of the strop reverses, the razor and stropper being independent units.

17. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor therefor and a stropper, comprising an inner guard and an outer guard certain of the bladeholder engaging surfaces of which are recessed to' receive the holder, means for drawing the outer guard toward the inner guard in a manner to seat the holder in the recessed portion and to clamp the blade therein in shaving position in the razor between the adjacent surfaces of the guards,

means for supporting the holder and blade in the stropper for pivotal movement about the central longitudinal axis of the blade, and means including a long iiexible strop cooperating with the stropper and holder for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported. e

18. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with'a razor therefor and a stropper, comprising an inner guard having a transversely curved blade supporting surface and guard teeth along opposite edges thereof, an outer removable guard cooperating therewith and means providing a relative approaching movement of the guards to clamp the holder with its blade in a transversely curved shaving position between such guards on the razor, the cutting edges of the blade being positioned along the said guard teeth, means for suporting the holder and blade in the stropper 'or pivotal movement about the central lor.l gitudinal axis of the blade, and means includinor 'a long ilexible strop cooperating with the stropper and holder for stropping both-edges of the blade and for oscillating the blade about its said central axis as the direction of movement of the strop reverses.

19. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor therefor and a stropper, comprising an inner guard and an outer guard having adjacent transversely curved blade engaging surfaces, a lhandle secured to the inner guard, screwthreaded means in connection with thchandle providing a relative approaching movement of the guards to clamp the holder with its blade in a transversely curved shaving position betweensuch guards on the razor, means for supporting the holder and blade in the stropper for pivotal movement about the central longitudinal axis of the blade, and means in the stropper for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported.

20. A holder fora double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor therefor and a stropper, comprising means for mounting the holder and its blade in the razor .in shaving position, the holder and its blade being bodily removable from the razor, means on the stropper for supporting the holder and blade therein for pivotal movement about the central longitudinal axis of the blade, and means. in the stropper for stropping the blade while thus pivotally supported, the razor and stropper being independent units.

10 the razor, the holder and 21. A holder for a double-edged safety razor blade in combination with a razor therefor and a stropper, oomprisin an inner guard and an outer guard certain of the blade holder engaging surfaces of which are recessed to receive the holder, means providing a relative approaching movement of the `guards to clamp the holder Withits blade in shaving position between such guards on its blade being bodily removable from the razor, means on the s tropper for engaging the ends of the holder to support the holder 'and blade therein for pivotal movement about the central lon tudinal axis of the blade, and means in t e stropper for Stropping the blade While thus pivotally supported.

In testimony whereof, I hereto affix my signature.

LAWRIE L. WITTER. 

